OSHA Says Fatal Aerial Lift Tipover Was Preventable
According to the agency, Skyline Contracting and Roofing Corp. of Taunton, Mass., ignored industry standards.
OSHA has announced that an employee's death could have been prevented if his employer, Skyline Contracting and Roofing Corp. of Taunton, Mass., had followed industry and federal safety standards.
The employee was operating an aerial lift extended to a height of 45 feet when the lift tipped over. The worker was ejected and thrown 16 feet and died from his injuries. An inspection found the lift was not positioned on level ground, and the worker's fall protection lanyard was not attached to the basket or boom.
"This incident and the needless death that resulted were preventable. Kevin Miranda's employer was well aware of the necessary safety requirements, yet disregarded them," said Kenneth Shedden, OSHA's area director for Boston and southeastern Massachusetts. "Safety standards exist for a good reason: to prevent incidents such as this, and the deaths and injuries that can result. Employers must know and adhere to all applicable standards. The lives and well-being of their employees depend on it."